Stadtmuseum Bad Ischl

The museum’s collection is divided into several themed areas that reflect the different stages and facets of Bad Ischl’s history. The first area focuses on the development of Bad Ischl, especially the role of salt production and the rise of the spa and tourism industry. Visitors can see various tools and equipment used for salt extraction and processing, as well as models and maps of the salt mines and the salt pipeline. The second area features the imperial and royal presence in Bad Ischl, which transformed the city into a summer residence and a cultural center. Visitors can admire original costumes and belongings of Emperor Franz Joseph and his family, such as his hunting rifles, his desk, and his personal items. The area also displays various artworks and memorabilia related to the imperial court and the aristocracy, such as paintings, sculptures, medals, and documents.

The third area is dedicated to the traditional folk culture of Bad Ischl and the Salzkammergut region. Visitors can enter farmhouse parlors with historic furnishings, costumes, and items from local groups, such as the Trachtenverein (folk costume association) and the Schützenverein (shooting club). The area also showcases the Salzkammergut’s centuries-old customs, such as the Glöcklerlauf (bell-ringing run), the carnival customs, and the sword dance. The fourth area is a highlight of the museum: the East Asia collection that global traveler and hotelier Hans Sarsteiner brought back from his travels from 1887 to 1905. Sarsteiner was the owner of the Hotel Austria and a passionate explorer who visited China, Japan, India, and other countries. He collected over 2,000 objects, such as porcelain, lacquerware, textiles, weapons, musical instruments, and religious artifacts, which he donated to the museum in 1928. The collection is one of the largest and most valuable of its kind in Austria and offers a glimpse into the exotic and fascinating cultures of East Asia.

The museum tour closes with a look back at Ischl at the turn of the century, when the city was a vibrant and cosmopolitan place that attracted many artists, writers, musicians, and actors. Visitors can meet display boards, original posters, costumes, celebrities of the period (such as Alexander Girardi or Katharina Schratt), and life-size people in authentic costumes against the backdrop of the Ischl Esplanade. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, events, and guided tours that complement the permanent collection and offer more insights into the history and culture of Bad Ischl.